Paranoid schizophrenia
Paranoid schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder. Individuals who suffer from paranoid schizophrenia may have visual hallucinations as well as terrifying imaginary auditory encounters. The word paranoid comes from the Greek word paranoia. Paranoia is an unfounded distrust of others because of a delusion that they are out to get you. The word schizophrenia comes from two Greek root words. The first part, schizein, means “to split.” The second part of the word comes from the Greek root word phren, meaning “mind.” This condition is a serious disabling mental disorder.
People are usually diagnosed as having paranoid schizophrenia between ages 17 and 35. This mental illness seems to appear earlier in life for men than in women. Young men are usually diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in their late teens or early 20s. Women do not usually show signs of paranoid schizophrenia until they are in their 20s or early 30s. Abnormal amounts of brain chemicals may be the cause of paranoid schizophrenia. However, there are speculations that complications during pregnancy or birth may be the cause of paranoid schizophrenia as well. Genetic factors do appear to play an important role.
People who have been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia describe strange and unrealistic thoughts that are hard to follow. They may hear voices and see things that are not there. They have paranoid thoughts such as thinking that someone else is reading or controlling their minds. They will also hear voices that no one else hears. People who have this mental disorder typically withdraw from the other people around them and retreat into an inner world of psychosis when they are not treated properly with medication. People have this mental disorder may become so incapacitated that they are unable to hold down a job or even carry on a simple conversation or maintain routine personal hygiene habits. A lot of people who have been diagnosed as having paranoid schizophrenia are homeless. However, there are various treatments for this mental illness that may help some to recover enough to live and function somewhat normally in the real world. Some may also have delusions of grandeur. For example, some individuals will believe that they are famous celebrities.
There is no complete and total cure for paranoid schizophrenia. This is a lifelong mental disorder. Some of the first signs of this mental illness include the inability to make decisions, having hallucinations, delusions, sudden nervousness, strange statements, withdrawal from friends and family, neglect of personal hygiene, becoming argumentative, thinking someone is out to get you or that you are better than others, hearing voices and sudden changes in habits and energy levels. The disorder usually develops over time however sometimes it may come on suddenly for certain people.
Oral and injectable medications are used to treat this disorder. Antipsychotic medication and therapies have been successfully used to help treat people with paranoid schizophrenia. Insight into this brain disorder has been gained through MRI brain scans which has led to better treatment. More often than not, paranoid schizophrenics also have anxiety disorders so anxiety mediations are prescribed as well. Many of the newer medication are helping to treat individuals so that they can live a relatively normal life. Some of the medications used to treat paranoid schizophrenia include Thorazine, Haldol, and Risperdal. People who have paranoid schizophrenia but who do not take medication and receive counseling and therapy become unable to function in the real world. They can become a danger to themselves and to others, because of their hallucinations, delusions and hearing of voices. Many state that voices tell them to do things that can harm themselves or other people. An acute attack of paranoid schizophrenia can require hospitalization in a locked facility. A police officer or doctor can have a person who has paranoid schizophrenia involuntarily hospitalized for up to three days if they feel the person poses a threat to themselves or society. If you have been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia you should see your doctor immediately if you begin to have thoughts of suicide or homicide and should stay under a doctors care and never stop taking medication just because you think you do not need it anymore.
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